無為|むいmui[1]atamadaka (head-high)

Common
Definitions
  1. na-adjective, no-adjectiveidleness; inactivity
    無為むいなれば孤独こどくを避さけよ。孤独こどくなれば無為むいを避さけよ。↗
    If you are idle, be not solitary, if you are solitary, be not idle.
Conjugation
Plain form無為(むい)
Polite (desu)無為です(むいです)
Negative (dewa nai)無為ではない(むいではない)
polite (dewa arimasen)無為ではありません(むいではありません)
Past (datta)無為だった(むいだった)
Past negative (dewa nakatta)無為ではなかった(むいではなかった)
Te form (de)無為で(むいで)
Adverbial (ni)無為に(むいに)
Conditional (nara)無為なら(むいなら)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Antonym有為ういWrittenWritten/formal. In Buddhism it denotes the impermanent world arising from causes and conditions; it also means capable or accomplished — the opposite of 「無為」.
  • Antonym活動かつどうNeutralNeutral. Refers to activity or action, and is the opposite of the idleness of 「無為」.

Use 「無為」 for idly letting time pass, as in 「無為に過ごす」 or 「無為無策」, and for the Taoist ideal of leaving things to nature in 「無為自然」. For being capable and accomplished, use 「有為」; for activity or action, use 「活動」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. (むい、ぶい)自然しぜんに任まかせ手てを加くわえないこと。
  2. (むい)何なんもせずぶらぶらしていること。
  3. (むい、ぶい)生滅しょうめつ・変化へんかしないもの。
Kanji in this word
See also

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